"If I would have fought Tyson then [in the late 1990s/early early 2000s], I would have knocked him out and if I fought Tyson now I'd definitely knock him out."

"Everybody knows I'm the better of us two."

"I'm the greatest defensive fighter of all-time."

Many, including your's truly, wrote James off in the late 1990s amid his weight problems and less-than- satisfactory performances against non-elite opponents.

James Toney was done.... or so it seemed.

But Toney would experience a revival of sorts and win a world title at cruiserweight in 2003 by decisioning the division's top dog, Vassiliy Jirov. The win would earn him RING Magaize Fighter of the Year honors.

And despite being only 5'10", James would vault to heavyweight and orchestrate a successful run, becoming a major player in the division and producing some memorable moments.

Approaching 47, does Toney have yet one more surprise for fans? And will he continue to campaign for big fights against top-level opposition should Tyson stay retired?

Keep in mind, Lucas Browne (then 15-0, 14 KOs) soundly defeated James Toney in April 2013 in what many believed would be the latter's swan song. James also dropped a less consequential three-rounder to journeyman Jason Gavern months later in the UK's famed Prizefighter Tournament.